Accord Alliance for Bangladesh Worker Safety
Accord Alliance Members are committed to providing tangible safety improvements and benefits to Bangladeshi garment workers. The sector is economically attractive where human resources are available with lower or minimum cost. Generally, developing or least developed countries are the suitable place for large scaled RMG production.The Alliance’s Bangladesh Worker Safety Initiative is a results-oriented action plan built upon principles of commitment, collaboration, and accountability. This ambitious initiative will require close coordination and true partnership between buyers and vendors. Who is the Alliance? Why was the Alliance formed? What has the Alliance committed to do? What role do vendors have in the Alliance? What kind of support will vendors receive? What are the immediate next steps? We have written it Bangla ...
Who is the Alliance?
- North American apparel industry brands and buyers partnered with multiple stakeholders to form the Alliance for Bangladesh Worker Safety
- Founding members include: Carter's, Canadian Tire, Children's Place, Costco, Gap Inc., Hudson Bay Company, JC Penney, Jones, Li & Fung, Macy's, Nordstrom, Sears, Target, VF, Walmart
Why was the Alliance formed and what is it focused on?
- At present, more than 70% share of total global apparel business is holding by south and south East Asian countries where position of Bangladesh is second largest, after China with a share of 6% of world market
- With all those achievements, Bangladesh RMG sector has experienced severe industrial accidents repeatedly since its growth stage where many of its workers sacrificed their livesThe safety record of Bangladeshi factories is unacceptable and requires the collective effort of vendors, the Bangladeshi government, buyers, workers, and international organizations
- We can prevent future tragedies by consolidating and amplifying our individual efforts to bring about real and sustained progress. Among the countries of the region, the minimum wage in Bangladesh RMG sector was the lowest. Though manufacturing RMG is a low-skill job yet even after three-decade workers’ productivity in Bangladesh is lower than its’ competitors
- Fire and building safety in apparel factories must become a primary focus of all stakeholders if the ready-made garment sector is to continue to grow and thrive in Bangladesh
- The Bangladesh Worker Safety Initiative is focused on both 1) protecting and empowering workers, and 2) elevating fire and building safety in Bangladeshi garment factories through comprehensive and measurable actions. Low wage does not help to keep the production cost lower if the workforces are not skilled. On the other hand, in managerial and technical positions many of the factories employ foreign staff to manage the production floors to material sourcing and negotiating with the buyers.
What has the Alliance committed to do?
- Moreover, Bangladesh RMG sector will lose LDC-specific benefits in 2027 like duty free access in the form of General System of Preference (GSP) to European Union, which is one of the major attraction for the importers. Develop standardized fire and building safety standards and a standardized inspection protocol to be implemented in all factories Members source from in Bangladesh.
- To face all those challenges much more needed to be sustainable. Considering the importance of the problem, an in depth and immediate study is needed in this particular area which is still missing. Develop and implement a common Fire and Building Safety Standard and Inspection Protocol Accord Alliance
- A Committee of Experts in fire and building safety approved by the Alliance Board of Directors will be convened to develop and implement the Alliance Fire and Building Safety Standards, as well as the inspection process. ..
If the sector fails to address this crucial issue, then it may loss the present business share.
- Key goal includes aligning with existing collaboratives including the National Action Plan, Accord and Compact. Manufacturing Readymade Garments (RMG) traditionally is a labor intensive but low waged industry
- Inspect 100% of Alliance Member factories. . As a labor intensive sector the manufacturing activities are more on man based rather than machine based. Contrary, as this is low waged industry workplace, health and safety always an issue of concern.
- The Alliance, through the Executive Director, shall recommend a process by which Members’ inspections are mutually shared with both the Bangladeshi government and participating members of the Accord. Both the devastating accidents attracted utmost criticism from home and abroad. As a part of global supply chain manufacturing RMG is subject to strict maintenance of compliances regulations and standards
- empower workers through Worker Participation Committees, and provide fire and building safety training to both workers and management. Started its journey during 1980s Bangladesh RMG had achieved 3rd position in the global apparel market in the year 2010
- Help ensure the existence of Worker Participation Committees (“WPCs”) at every Alliance Member factory, in which workers will elect their own members, subject to applicable Bangladeshi law. Both product and market diversity happened in a large scale during 2009 – 2013. Initially the export strategy of Bangladesh RMG sector was product penetration; limited to two major markets
- Each WPC will be made up of no less than 50 percent of workers. Third-party trainers will provide the information and education so that these WPCs can become the voice for worker concerns about safety (among other concerns) with factory management.
- Completion date: ongoing. One of the key features of manufacturing readymade garments, as a part of global supply chain, is to maintain strict compliance requirements likes upholding workers’ rights, health safety etc
- Provide fire and building safety training to workers and management. But all of those requirements did not evolved all on a sudden. Rather different situations in different times compelled the sector to comply with new requirements
- The Alliance will appoint a Training Committee to draw from best practices and recognized protocols of fire and building safety training programs, and develop a uniform set of fire and building safety educational standards and a curriculum.
- Engage third-party hotline and mobile technology providers to oversee worker training programs to use hotline/mobile technology.
- Completion date: ongoing. Initially, during ‘90s, compliance started with social issues directly related to child labour, workers’ rights and working conditions
- Be transparent about fire and building safety inspections, and share progress on the implementation of corrective action plans.
- The Alliance will share information on training and fire & building safety inspections via the Fair Factories Clearinghouse (FFC).
- Monthly reports will be made public on safety inspections and progress updates on remediation plans being undertaken.
- Completion date: ongoing. The Accord on Fire and Building Safety in Bangladesh (the Accord) and The Alliance for Bangladesh Worker Safety (Alliance) by the brands to make their sourcing factories safe and secured
- The Alliance will work closely with the Bangladeshi Government, and other stakeholders, to share inspection reports.
- The Alliance, through the Executive Director, shall also recommend a process by which Members’ inspections can be mutually shared with both the Bangladeshi government and participating members of the Accord.
- Completion date: ongoing.
- Help ensure that appropriate levels of funding and support exist to drive results.
- Members are committed to helping vendors ensure that fire and building safety remediation plans are financially viable.
- Individual Members are making available to factories access to over $100 million in affordable capital to facilitate remediation of factories.
- Completion date: ongoing. As wages of the workers are in increasing trend while price of the same products is decreasing.
- Members are committed to supporting workers through a Worker Safety Fund. The challenges are not only in context of price and wage issues, the capacity of the mid-level management and productivity of the sector are a big threat for the sector
- The Worker Safety Fund will be used to provide factory inspections for fire and building safety, training and worker empowerment. The Alliance has already raised over $42 million for the Worker Safety Fund, and continues to attract new members and funding.
- Completion date: ongoing. However, the minimum wage in Bangladesh is still lower than its competing countries but in productivity, efficiency and supply chain, Bangladesh RMG is far behind to many of those competitors
What steps will the Alliance take in the event a factory is deemed unsafe?
- Bangladesh is far behind than its competitors. Now the question is how the sector is offsetting the increasing production cost with reduced priceIf, in the opinion of the Qualified Inspectors, an inspection identifies a severe and imminent danger to worker safety, the Inspector shall:
- Immediately inform Factory management, the Factory’s Worker Participation Committee, worker representatives (where one or more unions are present), the local government building department, the BGMEA/BKMEA, as well as Members through the Board of Directors.
- Recommend to Factory management and local government the immediate implementation of remedial action, including immediate interim closure and evacuation of the Factory, if necessary. Is
it productivity or any other factors? The present study has focused on the
impact of productivity of the workers of the sector along with the different
initiatives taken by the different stakeholders like – buyers, factory owners
and government towards the shifting of sustainability.
- You may contact:Accord Alliance for bangladesh worker safety team
Some Question of Alliance
Question:
|
Have workers that operate and maintain the electrical
system received
|
electrical safety training? Is training documentation on
site?
|
|
Description:
|
Workers that operate and maintain the electrical system
have not received
|
electrical safety training.
|
|
Source of Findings:
|
Worker Interviews: As per worker interview they have no
electrical safety
|
training.
|
|
Suggested Plan of
|
Develop and implement an electrical safety program.
Include key topics such
|
Action:
|
as lock out/tag out procedures, personal protective
equipment requirements,
|
etc.
|
|
Standard:
|
Reference NFPA 70e for example
|
Question:
|
Are thermographic scans of electrical equipment completed
at least every
|
three years?
|
|
Description:
|
Thermographic scans of electrical equipment are not
completed.
|
Source of Findings:
|
Document Review: No thermographic scans for electrical
equipment.
|
Suggested Plan of
|
Complete thermographic scans at least on a three year
cycle. Thermographic
|
Action:
|
scans should be completed in accordance with the Standard
for Infrared
|
Inspection of Electrical Systems & Rotating Equipment
and NFPA70B or a
|
|
comparable standard.
|
|
Standard:
|
Alliance Standards Part 10 Section 10.13.8 Electrical
Inspections
|
Question:
|
Transformers do not contain harmful substances such as
PCBs.
|
Description:
|
There is no document which can prove that the transformer
does not contain
|
harmful substances like PCBs.
|
|
Source of Findings:
|
Document Review: No such document was found.
|
Suggested Plan of
|
Consider replacing transformers with harmful substances to
reduce health
|
Action:
|
hazards.
|
Question:
|
Are periodic safety inspections of the electrical system
components completed
|
and documented?
|
|
Description:
|
No periodic safety inspections of the electrical system
components are
|
completed .
|
|
Source of Findings:
|
Document Review: No periodic safety inspections of the
electrical system
|
components.
|
|
Suggested Plan of
|
Establish a periodic inspection program to ensure the
electrical systems are
|
Action:
|
free from damage, debris, dirt, lint, etc. Maintain
records concerning
|
inspections and follow up actions.
|
|
Suggested Deadline
|
13 Feb 2015
|
Date:
|
|
Standard:
|
Alliance Standard Part 10 Section 10.13 Inspection and
Testing and Part 13
|
Section 13.6 Housekeeping
|
|
Question:
|
Is the electrical switchgear and panel boards inspected on
an annual basis to
|
ensure that the equipment is installed in accordance with
the listed ratings?
|
|
Description:
|
The electrical switchgear and panel boards are inspected
on an annual basis,
|
but all points are not covered with this inspection to
ensure that the equipment
|
|
is installed in accordance with the listed ratings.
|
|
Source of Findings:
|
Document Review: Insufficient documentation of annual
inspection record for
|
electrical switchgear and panel boards.
|
|
Suggested Plan of
|
Inspect electrical switchgear and panel boards on an
annual basis to ensure
|
Action:
|
that the equipment is in good working condition.
|
Standard:
|
Alliance Standards Part 10 Section 10.13.8 Electrical
Inspections
|
Question:
|
A transformer oil analysis is routinely completed on main
service transformers.
|
Description:
|
Transformer oil analysis is not routinely completed on
main service
|
transformers.
|
|
Source of Findings:
|
Document Review: Transformer oil analysis is not
completed.
|
Suggested Plan of
|
Complete an oil analysis on applicable transformers at
appropriate intervals
|
Action:
|
based on voltage and power.
|
Standard:
|
Alliance Standard Part 10 Section 10.13.8 Electrical
Inspections
|
Electrical System Conditions
Question:
|
Have workers that operate and maintain the electrical
system received
|
electrical safety training? Is training documentation on
site?
|
|
Description:
|
Workers that operate and maintain the electrical system
have not received
|
electrical safety training.
|
|
Source of Findings:
|
Worker Interviews: As per worker interview they have no
electrical safety
|
training.
|
|
Suggested Plan of
|
Develop and implement an electrical safety program.
Include key topics such
|
Action:
|
as lock out/tag out procedures, personal protective
equipment requirements,
|
etc.
|
|
Standard:
|
Reference NFPA 70e for example
|
Question:
|
Are thermographic scans of electrical equipment completed
at least every
|
three years?
|
|
Description:
|
Thermographic scans of electrical equipment are not
completed.
|
Source of Findings:
|
Document Review: No thermographic scans for electrical
equipment.
|
Suggested Plan of
|
Complete thermographic scans at least on a three year
cycle. Thermographic
|
Action:
|
scans should be completed in accordance with the Standard
for Infrared
|
Inspection of Electrical Systems & Rotating Equipment
and NFPA70B or a
|
|
comparable standard.
|
|
Standard:
|
Alliance Standards Part 10 Section 10.13.8 Electrical
Inspections
|
Question:
|
Transformers do not contain harmful substances such as
PCBs.
|
Priority Level:
|
Medium
|
Description:
|
There is no document which can prove that the transformer
does not contain
|
harmful substances like PCBs.
|
|
Source of Findings:
|
Document Review: No such document was found.
|
Suggested Plan of
|
Consider replacing transformers with harmful substances to
reduce health
|
Action:
|
hazards.
|
Question:
|
Are periodic safety inspections of the electrical system
components completed
|
and documented?
|
|
Description:
|
No periodic safety inspections of the electrical system
components are
|
completed .
|
|
Source of Findings:
|
Document Review: No periodic safety inspections of the
electrical system
|
components.
|
|
Suggested Plan of
|
Establish a periodic inspection program to ensure the
electrical systems are
|
Action:
|
free from damage, debris, dirt, lint, etc. Maintain
records concerning
|
inspections and follow up actions.
|
|
Standard:
|
Alliance Standard Part 10 Section 10.13 Inspection and
Testing and Part 13
|
Section 13.6 Housekeeping
|
|
Question:
|
Is the electrical switchgear and panel boards inspected on
an annual basis to
|
ensure that the equipment is installed in accordance with
the listed ratings?
|
|
Description:
|
The electrical switchgear and panel boards are inspected
on an annual basis,
|
but all points are not covered with this inspection to
ensure that the equipment
|
|
is installed in accordance with the listed ratings.
|
|
Source of Findings:
|
Document Review: Insufficient documentation of annual
inspection record for
|
electrical switchgear and panel boards.
|
|
Suggested Plan of
|
Inspect electrical switchgear and panel boards on an
annual basis to ensure
|
Alliance Condition |
that the equipment is in good working condition.
|
- Partner with buyers and other stakeholders to help ensure their workers have a safe place to work.
- Understand the financial incentives available to make safety improvements.
- Understand the penalties if vendors fail to make fire and building safety upgrades.
- Help the Alliance to meet the timelines established for each of the specific tasks in the Member’s Agreement.
- Raise questions if there is uncertainty of Accord Alliance
- Share safety and training information of Alliance for Bangladesh Worker Safety
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